​The solemnity of Holy Week is the overarching theme of our week in SJS kindergarten.  It defines who we are as a Church.  During the Triduum, the three-day period of prayer, we recall the three days that Christ spent in the tomb, from Good Friday until Easter Sunday.  The children are mindful of the holiness of this week and that we are called to love and serve as Jesus.  We bring the rich symbolism and experiences of the Lord’s Supper and the passion and death of Jesus to our young children in an appropriate way.  Children experienced the washing of the feet as our 12 disciples participated in allowing us to serve them as Jesus did, as well as, the Lord’s Supper.

Grade Two students experienced both the high road and low road to Brementown when they read two different versions of the Brementown Musicians.
This folktale was originally written by The Brothers Grimm who were born in Germany more than 200 years ago.  The two versions were retold in play and story format.  Students then did a comparison using a Venn Diagram.  They also completed story chains showing the sequence of this interesting folktale.  

How do we bring the events of the Passion and Death of Jesus to an appropriate level of understanding for our young children? Children created a Lenten Path to walk the way with Jesus.  This included cactus for the Temptation in the Desert; a donkey as Jesus came in peace; the city of Jerusalem fashioned from blocks and a stone path lined with palms to the tomb.  This is in a prominent area in our classroom ​as we invite children to reflect and pray.

Our collaborative approach in teaching, creates a culture of learners as we all become vested in new topics. 

Grade 5 did a Citizenship activity in which they used the the Mayflower Compact as an example of good citizenship and addressed reasons for resolving conflicts. Grade 5 studied the Mayflowers Compact in which leaders created an agreement. They agreed to choose leaders, draw up "just and equal laws" and to make decisions "for the general good of the Colony". The 5th grade students created a "Classroom Compact" for an ideal classroom. Each group decided on a group of rules that they all could agree on. They then wrote a compact that they explained why the rules were necessary for a safe and nurturing classroom. We shared this with our 1st Grade friends who added ideas and discussed which rules they thought were the best. Like the Mayflower Compact, students knew that people need rules to be able to help themselves and help each other.

Joey Deleo, as we at SJS remember him, always had a gift.  His sweet smile captured our hearts long before he hit the stage.    Joe performed in school productions, talent shows and Holiday pageants as well.  He loves the spotlight and the spotlight loves him.  We always knew he was made for the stage.  We are following you and remain your biggest fans, Joe Deleo.

We are truly blessed to have Joe accompany the Church choir at Holy Day and Holiday Masses.   

Grade 5 scientists are hard at work.  We are trying to determine how old a tree is by counting the rings on a cross section of a tree. 
Did you know you can tell how old a tree is by counting the rings.  Tree trunks grow thicker every year by adding a new ring of growth.